Novozymes Biopharma DK A/S, a subsidiary of Novozymes A/S, a world leader in bioinnovation, has announced that its albumin-based VELTIS half-life extension technology is being used by GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) in the recently authorised Eperzan (albiglutide) for the treatment of type 2 diabetes in Europe.

The application of Novozymes’ VELTIS technology in the drug delivers an extended half-life which will enable patients to inject only once per week.

"The first approval for a product based on Novozymes' VELTIS technology, and marketed by one of the largest pharmaceutical companies in the world,  marks a significant milestone for our half-life extension platform", says Thomas Videbæk, executive vice president, Business Development, Novozymes. “We consider this authorisation real proof that VELTIS can offer true benefits to patients, reducing the inconvenience with daily drug dosing."

VELTIS technology is a series of native and engineered human albumins. When combined with a drug candidate it offers the potential for tunable control of therapeutic half-life in a manner previously unachievable with other half-life extension platforms. In particular, the technology opens the door towards weekly, bi-weekly, or even monthly dosing regimens, a monumental shift away from the daily dosing regimens currently necessary to manage medical conditions.

The technology also offers Novozymes’ other partners, such as the recently announced Janssen Research & Development collaboration, the market's only half-life extension technology using animal-free recombinant human albumin. The combination of these unique elements means that Novozymes' technology can help partners develop and take improved and innovative drugs from clinic to market more efficiently.

The market approval for Eperzan does not impact Novozymes’ financial outlook for 2014.